Andhra Pradesh plans tourism development for Polavaram project

The Andhra Pradesh government is planning to transform the Polavaram irrigation project into a major tourist destination. The initiative includes improving road connectivity, constructing a 3.42 km iconic bridge, and developing hospitality infrastructure and landscaping around the reservoir and Papikondalu hills. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has sought financial and policy support from central leaders to enhance connectivity, including requests to shift the river crossing of the Kharagpur-Amaravati Greenfield Express Highway to Polavaram and extending National Highway 365B.

Separately, Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu highlighted the economic impact of the Pattiseema lift irrigation scheme. Since its 2015 launch, the scheme has diverted approximately 500 tmc ft of Godavari water to the Krishna delta, contributing to an estimated Rs 50,000 crore in wealth creation. The minister noted that recent diversions of 57 tmc ft of water have protected crops across seven lakh acres and met drinking water needs for 30 lakh people, reducing reliance on the Srisailam reservoir.